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Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,621

C. E. CHRISTPHEL SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. l5, 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet l \i/ N nl Il Nov. 27 1923. 1,475,621

C. E. CHRISTOPHEL A SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 15. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 mgm/ron Rivers Nov. 27, 1923.

C. E. "CHRISTOPHEL SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 1s, 1920 e sheets-sheet s A TTORNEYS Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,621

c. E. CHRISTOPHEL vSHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. l5. 19:20 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 27, 1923.

C. E. CHRISTOPHEL SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 15. 1920 "fi/Imi 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NVENTOH @m il.

Nov. 27 1923. 1,475,621

C. E. CHRISTOPHEL SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed nec. 15, 1920 'a sheets-sheet 6 Es 1 LT 1 N' 1y i r-l I l [V .SF l i?. I; L Y:

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C. E. CHRSTOPHEL. SHEET SEEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. l5 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet V Tizi. l5.

INVENTOR mUM/Z gw TORNEW C. E. CHRISTOPHEL SHEET SEPARATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. l5 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL E. CHRISTOPHEL, F PEARL RIVER, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR 'JIO DEXTER FOLDER COMPANY, OF PEARL RIVER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHEET-SEPARATING MECHANISM.

Application led December 15, 1920. Serial No. 431,020.

To all 'whom may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL E. Crrnisrornnr., a citizen of Germany` residing at Pearl River, county out Rockland, State ot New York., have invented certain new and use'tul Improvements in Sheet-Separating' Mechzv nism` ot which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sheet separating mechanisms for automatic sheet teeding machines and more especially to that class ot separators in which the top sheet of a pile is straightened across a valley or hollow' formed in the top ot a pile ot sheets. Mechanism for performing the straipghteninn operation upon the concave top ot a pile for separating' sheets from the pile is shown in the patent to Miehle et al. No. 606.975 dated July 5th, 1898, in connection with an automatically elevated concave table lor supporting the pile in concave form. According to this patent, retarding rollers are arranged on one elevated part ot' the pile while cushion pusher fingers are moved forwardly in engagement with the other raised part ot the pile to straighten the top sheet across the concave top ot the pile in such a way as to bring the sheet into kissing rc lation with a sheet conveying sucker which moves the sheet forwardly trom the pile into position to be engaged by delivery drop rollers. In the Brintnall Patent No. 802.679 dated October 24th, 1905` the main body ot the pile remains flat while the opposite rear corners thereof are raised by wedges. thus in effect forming` aI wide trough or valley at the rear edge ot the pile across which triction rollers, moving; in opposite directions, straighten the top sheet and raise its edge slightly from the pile for the. purpose oit introducing` blasts ot air beneath the top sheet to separate it trom the pile.

The present invention has for its object, to provide an improved construction, conibination, and arrangement of parts in a separator of the sheetstraighteningtype, whereby the sheet separating operation may be carrierl on with a high' degree ot accuracy, speed and general eliticiencyv For this purpose, my invention contemplates suitable means operatingautomatically and continuously for supporting a portion of a pile ot sheets in raised positionv at one or more points to permit the top sheet to be separated by suitable sheet straightening mechanism and for adding' other sheets to the raised portions for maintaining a substantially uniform thickness oi" sheets in the raised portion of the pile. The swinging lever shown in Patent No. 1.382,952 Zgranted in my nameon June 28th, 1921 is movable periodically into and out of position to litt a portion ot the pile of sheets into position to be operated upon by a combing;r wheel which operates to impart sheet straighteni ing movements to the top sheets. The present invention contemplates tor this purpose a rotary segmental or mutilated platen for continuously supporting a portion of the pile in raised position` said platen being provided upon its segments with pick-up points for automatically adding from below portions ol other' sheets to replace those which are removed `from the top. Cooperat ingwith the mutilated platen alone or together with the combing wheel, is an auxiliary sheet separating;` sticker provided with a depending plate which is adapted in its lower-most position to rest upon the pile or to remain suspended above the pile, depending' upon the adjusted position ot the suction tube to adapt it to any particular stock upon which it is to operate. One ot the objects ot the present invention is to provide in combination with a sheet straightening device, an improved sheet separating suction device which is adapted to kiss a sheet which has been straightened by said device and to impart thereto a sharp angular movement of such a pronouncefl nature as to prevent the sheet next below it from being drawn up bv the vacuum below the engaged top sheet.A For this purpose, the sheet Q;ripping sucker is carried by an arcuate plunger which is telescopically mounted in an arcuate housing into which it is adapted to be suddenly retracted when the sheet kissing: sucker is closed by the top sheet. j Other and further objects ot the invention will appear in the speciiication and be pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing-s, in which a preferred embodiment ot my invention is illustrated.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sheet end oi." shait 34 is a combing wheel 38, the combing elements of which are arranged on axes which intersect the axis of sha't't 34 similarly to the elements ot a conical surl'ace, Said combing?r elements are thereby adapted to cooperate with the conical surfaces oi platens 3f), Btl. whenever the combing` wheel Btl is lowered. it sheet edge gage 39 with a curved forward edge, tor engaging the eogres ot' the raised portions ot some ot the top sheets ot.' a pile, has a laterally presented 'top plate or flange i0 provided with a slot ill whereby said sheet edge gage 259 may be adjustably secured to the tubular arm 35 by means of screws 12. The gage 39 resists any tendency ot the sheets to shift rearwardly under the combing' action. Suitable means Yfor raising and lowering` the combing wheel arm are provided acccordingi to the present embodiment ot my invention, by a cam arm i-3 see Figures 4t and 8) which is pivot-ally mounted by a pin la carried in a lug' e5. The cam arm i3 is provided with a cam roller i6 which runs on a cam l? keyed to the power shaft 11. Rigid with the cani arm d3 is a forwardly presented arm 1S with a cam plate 49 at its forward end. Riding upon the cam plate 4l9 is a roller 5t) journalled on a pin 5l carried by a post 52 which is mounted on the combing arm As shown in Fig-ure 10, the right hand bearingr 10 for the power shalt ll, is elongated axially and is itself adapted as a journal bearing t'or the hub portion 53 ot' a curved lever arm which is raised and lowered by means of a cam roller 55 journaled on a pin cai ried by arm 5ft and ridingon the cam plate 49. in its forward end, lever arm 54 is pro vided with a slot 5G in which is adjustably mounted a bolt 57 which clamps a split collar to a suction tube 59 and connects said suction tube to the lever arm il.. flexible. tube G9 connects the `upper end oi tube 59 with an air exhausting' pump (not shown) which tends to produce a vacuum in tube 59 which latter constitutes part of a suction device which is shown in detail in Figures 5` 6, and 7. Thus the bore ot tube 59 is provided with a rearwardly presented port Gl which opens thru 4the upper end ol a plate (3Q. said plate constituting a depend- :ingr Atoot which. when operatingupon certain kinds o'li stock, may rest upon the top ot a pile ot sheets. Secured to the plate SQ by means ot' screws G3. is a box-like struc 'ture comprising an arcuate housing 6l, sector plate 65, and an angular boss (lo. As' shown in Figures 5 and 7, the arcuate groove is adapteil to slidably receive a tubular ar cuate section 68 which telescopes thereinto said section 68 being provided with a bore 69 which registers with port 6l in the innermost position of section 68.` The section 68 is provided at its outer end with a rubber sucker 70 which is adapted to be closed y by and to grip a sheet. A cover plate 7l is secured to the arcuate housing)r 6st by means ot screws 72 and in its lower end is provided with an arcuate slot 73 (see Figure l) to accomnuulate a pin Tilprojectiug laterally troni section (S8 and lo which is connected one end ot a curved spring rod T5 which slides .in a. perforated luie` T6 which projects laterally troni the lower end oll tube 59. interposed between the head ot' spriit;V rod T5 and the lug TG` is a compressiim spring!y 'TT which tends to hold the sucker '79 in its utermost position. A stop nut 78 on the forward end ot springr rod 'T5 serres to limit the outward displacement oi" sucker 79. An upwardly extending` arni 9 ol the separator iti-ame 5 carries a laterally presented pin 89 upon which is `imirnalled a lerer arm 8l.V

't rod S2 which is pirotally connected at S3 to `the fmward end ot' lever arm 8l is provided near its lower end with an angularly bent slot 84; which causes 'forward and backward movement to be imparted to the rod 82 by means oi' a stud 85 which slides in said slot. The stud 85 is carried by a 'forwardly presented arm S6 carried by the bearingY i9. A {lexible pipe S7 delivers air under pressure lo the upper end otV a tube SS which is held by a split collar clamp 89 and secured by a. bolt 90 to the rod SQ. Connected to the lever arm 8l by a pin 9i is a cam rod 92 having' its lower end biturcated to form branches 93 which center said rod with respect to the power shatt ll. The rod 92 carries a` pin 9-'1- upon which is `iournalled a roller 95 which runs on the cam 96 keyed to shat tl. ecured to the dtmnwardly presenti-d ends o't the branches 93. 93, of rod 9:?` an abutment plate 9T thru which extends a spring rod 99. Said spring rod has its upper end piroted on a pin 99 and is provided with an abutment collar t9() be` tween which and the plate 97 is disposed a sprino; ltll which tends to retain the cam rod 92 in its lowermost position. The sheet separating' action will now be readily understood and briefly related is as follows:

The preliminary separation ot portions ot some ot the top sheets ot a pile in a periodically recurring! operation. the axis et' revolution ol the segmental plateus :ht 9th beingr maintained in tixed relation to a series ot rods which .traire the rear edge o l a pile of sheets. rtl-air! rods or rear edge wao-es (not shown on the drawingsl ure terably mounted on the transverse liar Vl and according' to the present.' einliodinieut ot my invention. maintain the :wis ol revolution oi the platens Ill), 39. in approximately the vertical planc ut the rear edge ot the pile. By means ot this arranpjement-r the preliminary separator may be readily adjusted in position with respect to piles of sheets ot any size by merely adjusting the position or" transverse bar l. As said preliminary separator-rotates, its pick up points 31, 81, elevate portions of a predetermined number of sheets, said` sheet portions being added from below to correspond with the upward pile tced movement under the control of the pile governor (not shown). During this operation, the combing wheel 38 is caused to drop under spring pressure so Vas to cooperate with each of the revolving platen surfaces 30, 30 in succession so that there are two sheets fed olf for each rotation of the preliminary separator. As pointed 'out above, the suction tube is made vertically adjustable by means oi clamp collar 58 and bolt 57 so that the foot or lower end of plate 62 may be set to rest on the top of the pile in lowered position, as is usually preferred, or to remain suspended a short distance above the pile in some instances. At the completion of a sheet separating action, the plate 62 is in raised position with thesheet engaging sucker in retracted position while the holding foot 88 is down on the pile as shown in Figure 1. Immediately ateithe separated top sheet has been removed, the holding foot 88 is raised from' tl pile while the sucker 70 having been retured to its extended position by spring 77 as soon as the separated top sheet was released thereby is dropped with'its housing 62--64 toward the pile. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the combing wheel 38 has begun to operate upon the corner of the pile which is supported in upwardly displaced position by one of the platens 30 and is tending to straighten the upper sheet or sheets across the hollow top surface of the pile. As soon as the top sheet of the pile is sutliciently straightened to closely approach the mouth of the sucker, the sheet will be gripped by the sucker, and the vacuum therein will` cause the sucker to telescope and thereby impart a sharp angular separating movement to the top sheet as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, this action usually occurring about midway between the drop and lift of the combing wheel. Immediately following this telescopic movement of the sucker 70, the suction separator is raised in its entirety to the positions shown in Figs. 15 and 16 to impart a further lifting eiiect to the top sheet, the combing wheel 38 being elevated at the same time. During the period of time elapsing between the snap up or telescopic movement ot the sticker and the elevation oi theI sheet separating suction device inv its entirety the holding toot 88 has dropped to the pile below the elevated top sheet and a blast of air is delivered therefrom to form an air blanket upon which the top sheet may be floated oil'. Immediately after the sucker 70 has reached the position shown; in Figures 15 and 16, the suction is broken in tube59 and the separated top sheet is released to the sheet 'forwarding devices as indicated in Figure 17. A new series ot movements now begins and proceeds as already explained.

It will appear from the Jforegoing description that when the suction device moves downwardly, the lower end ot plate 62 may or may not rest upon the top ot' the pile depending upon the position to which the suction tube 59 has been adjusted to meet the requirements of the different kinds of stock whichmay be handled by the machine. Vhen that material is light stock, it is'usually desirable to have the plate 62 drop into engagement with the top of the pile and the sucker -70 to come close to thel top sheet so that the combing wheel 38 and the sheet separating sucker 70 become active upon the top sheet in quick succession and continue in cooperation until the combing wheel 'is lifted. "When a heavy stock of paper is to be` separated, the suction devices may be supported entirely out of contact with the pile. The ,combing eitects of combing wheels 38 may be extended beyond the suction devices, and, when thought to be desirable, this combingy separating action may be extended across the entire pile between oppositely disposedy separators as indicated in Figure 19. It will be understood by reference to Figure 19, thatfthe usual arrangement of the improved separating mechanism in an automatic feeding machine is in right and left sets arranged to operate above the opposite rear corners of an automatically elevated pile of sheets.

I claims- 1. In sheet separating mechanism, a sheet gripper movable vinto and out of sheet gripping position, means for raising a portion or' a pile of sheets and continuously maintaining4 said portion in raised position, and a sheet combing instrumentality periodically cooperating with said raising and maintaining means for displacing the top sheet et' thedisplaced portion ,of said pile into position to-be engaged by said sheet gripper.

2. In sheet separating mechanism, a sheet gripper movable into andout of sheet gripping position, means for raising a portion of a pile of sheets` and continuously maintaining said portion in raised position, and a sheetcombing instrumentality periodically cooperating with said raising and maintaining means for displacing the top sheet ot the displaced portion of said pile into position to be engaged by saidsheet gripper-said raising and maintaining means comprising portions moving one after 'the other into supporting engagement with the raised portion of the pile.

BQInsheet .separating mechanism, a sheet gripper movable into and out of sheet gripping position, .means forraisinga portion of apile of sheets and continuously maintainingisaid'portion lin raised position, and a sheet combing instrumentality periodically cooperating with said raising and maintaining means tor displacing the top sheet of the displaced portion of said pile into position to be engaged by said sheet gripper, said raising and maintaining means comprising portions moving one after the other into supporting engagement with the raised portion ot' the pile and suitably formed and disposed to raise portions of additional sheets as the pile is raised.

4t. In sheet separating mechanism, a sheet gripping sucker movable into and out of sheet gripping position above a pile of sheets, a rotary platen suitably disposed to dex some of the topv sheets of a pile, and a combing Wheel movable into and out of cooperative relation to said rotary platen for drawing the top sheet across the flexure in said top sheets and into position to be eneetsn a rotary platen suitably disposed ties: some ot the top sheets ot a pile, and

3;. eonibing wheel movable into and out ot cooperative relation to said rotary platen for swing the top sheet across the tlexure in said top sheets and into position to be engaged by said sucker said rotary platen comin'isingsegments with which said combing wheel cooperates one after the other.

6. in sheet separating mechanism, a sheet gripping sucker movable into and out of sheet gripping position above a pile of sheets, a rotary platen suitably disposed to flex some of the top sheets ot a pile, and a combing Wheel movable into and out of cooperative relation to said rotary platen for drawing the top sheet across the tlexure in said top sheets and into position to be engaged by said sucker said rotary platen comprising segments with which said combing Wheel cooperates one'after the other, saidfsegments `beiinqf provided with pick-up .corners for litting the edges of some oi the top sheets and thus flexing the same.

7. In. sheet separating mechanism, a rotary platea adapted to be disposed adjacent one edge ot a pile of sheets and comprising segments provided with pick-up corners ter lifting portions ot some of the top s ieets ol said V'pile to form a bend therein, f. combing wheel cooperating with said platen sections for straightening top sheets `,rif-ross the bend therein, and a sheet gripping .,-zer movaole into and out ot position to grip a sheet thus straightened,

i Si. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary platen adapted to be disposed adjacent one edge ot' a pile ot sheets and comsegments provided With pick-up corners tor lifting portions of some of the top siieets of saidpile to form a bend therein,

a combing Wheel cooperating With said platen sections for straightening top sheets across the bend therein, and a sheet gripping sucker movable into and out of position to grip a sheet thus straightened said platen sections being provided with conical surfaces and the elements of said combing Wheel being arranged on axes suitably disposed to correspond thereto.

9. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary platen adapted to be disposed adjacent one edge of a pile of sheets and comprising segments provided with pick-up corners for lifting portions of some of the top sheets of said pile to form a bend therein, a combing wheel cooperating with said platen sections tor straighteninof top sheets across the bend therein, and a sieet gripping sucker movable into and out of position to grip a sheet thus straightened said platen sections being provided with conical surfaces and the elements of said combing Wheel being arranged on axes suitably disposed to correspond thereto, means for raising and lowering said rotary platen with respect to the top ot a pile ot' sheets, and means for moving said combing Wheel into and out of cooperating position with respect to said rotary platen.

10. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary separator platen journalled on an axis substantially parallel to the top of a pile of sheets, said platen being provided with a surface of revolution the elements ot which are angularly disposed with respect to the rotary axis of said platen for holding a portion oit the top sheets of said pile in flexed up position, and a combing Wheel comprising elements conforming to said surface of revolution for imparting a preliminary separation to the top sheet of the pile.

ll. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary separator platen journalled on an axis substantially parallel to the top of a pile of sheets, said platen being provided with a surface of revolution the elements of which are angularly disposed with respect to the rotary axis of said platen for holding a portion of the top sheets of said pile in flexed up position, and a combing wheel comprising elements conforming t0 said surtace of revolution for imparting a preliminary separation to the top sheet ot' the pile said rotary platen comprising spaced conical segments provided with pick-up point-s for elevating portions of the top sheets.

l2. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary pick-up platen, a combing Wheel movable into and out of position to cooperate with said platen, and a gage movable with said combing wheel for engaging the lateral edges ot' sheets in a pile.

13. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination With a rotary platen adapted to pick up portions of the upper sheets of a pile and to hold said portions flexed, of a combing wheel movable into and out of position to'cooperate with said rotary platen.

14. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination with a rotaryV platen adapted to pick up portions ot the upper sheets of a pile and to hold said portions tiened, or" a combing` wheel movable into and out ot position to cooperate with said rotary platen and means partalzing of the movements of said combing wheel for gaging the edges of said upper sheets.

15. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary power shaft, a combing wheel arm oseillatably mounted on said shaft, a combing wheel shaft iournalled in said and geared to said power shaitt, a ccmbing'wheel keyed to said combing wheel` shaft, means for raising and lowering said combing wheel arm, and a rotary platen for bending portions of some of thetop sheets of a pile and upon which said combing wheel operates in its lowered position.

16. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary power shaft, a combing wheel arm oscillatably mounted on said shaft, a comb ing wheel sha'i'ft journalled in said arm and geared to said lpower shaft, acombing wheel keyed to said combing wheel shaft, means for raising and lowering said combing wheel arm, a platen carrying arm oscillatahly mounted on said power shaft, said platen carrying arm being provided with means Jfor adjusting its position relatively to a pile of sheets, a rotary platen journalled in said platen carrying arm, and driving connections extending between said power shaft and rotary platen.

17. In sheet separating` mechanism, a rotary platen adapted to raise and sustaina portion ot av pile oi sheets, a sheet gripping sucker arranged above said pile et sheets, andv a combing wheel operating on the displaced portion oi the top sheet ot said pile in a vdirection away from said sucker for drawing the top sheet nearer to said sucker.

18. In sheet separating mechanism, a rotary platen adapted to raise and sustain a portion of a pile or" sheets, a sheet gripping sucker arranged above said pile oit sheets, and a combing wheel operating on the displaced portion o't the top sheet oit said pile in a directionaway irom said sucker tor drawing the top sheet nearer to said sucker the cooperating' portions ot said rotary platen and combing wheel respectively moving substantially in planes angularly disposed with respect to each other.

19. Insheet separating mechanism. the combination with means for sustaining a valley or hollow in a plurality of sheets.` and sheet straightening means, et' a telescopic sheet separating suction device.

20. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination with a support tor a pile of sheets, sheet straightening means, of a tel- Lanham eseopic sheet separating suction device, said suction device being `provided with a sheet gripping sucker movable arcuately with respect to the top surface of the pile.

21. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination with means for sustaining a valley or hollow in a plurality ot sheets, and sheet straightening means, of a telescopic sheet separating suction device, said suction. device comprising relatively movable sections telescoping on an arcuate axis.

22. In sheet separating mechanism, a suction device movable into and out oi' operative position above a pile of sheets, said suction device comprising telescopic sections of which one of said sections has an endwise arcuate movement with respect to the other.

23. In sheet separating mechanism,aJ suction device comprising a vacuum tube, an arcuate housing `connected to one end of said tube, an arcuate tubular section having an arcuate telescopic connection with said arcuate housing, and a sucker connected to the outer end oit said tubular section;

24. In sheet separating mechanism, a sue tion device comprisingI a vacuum tube, an arcuate 'housing connected to one end of said tube, an arcuate tubular section having an arcuate telescopic connection with said arcuate housing, and a sucker connected to the outer end of said tubular section, said vacuum tube being provided with a depending foot adapted to rest upon a pile ot sheets.

25. In sheet separating mechanism, a suction device comprising Va vacuum tube, an arcuate housing connected to one end oit said tube, an arcuate tubular section telescopically mounted on an arcuate axis in said arcuate housing, and a sucker connected to the outer end et said tubular section, said vacuum tube being provided with a depending Jfoot adapted to rest upon a pile of sheets and means for raising and lowering said suction device.

26. yIn sheet separating mechanism, a suction device comprising a vacuum tube, an arcuate housing connected'to one end oit said tube, an arcuate tubular section telescopically mounted' in said arcuate housing, sucker connected to the outer end` et said tubular section, and resilient means tending to retain said tubular section in its outermost position with respect to said arcuate housing.

27. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination with a sheet gripper movable into and out of position to grip a sheet, ofV

sheet combing ieans movable into and out of sheet combing position., said sheet gripper and combing means being provided with cam rollers presented towards each other, a cam plate movable about an axis and engaging said cam rollers in common, and a cam operated arm mounted on said cam plate.

28. In sheet separating mechanism, the combination with a sheet gripper movable into and out of position to grip a sheet, of sheet combing means movable into and out of sheet combing position, said sheet gripper and combing means being provided with cam rollers presented towards each other, a cam plate movable about an axis and engaging said cam rollers in common, a cam operated arm mounted on said cam plate and a sheet straightening gage carried by said sheet combing means.

29. In sheet separating mechanism, a sheet separating sucker, sheet combing means for raising one edge of a sheet to be engaged by said sucker, a cam operated arm, a blower tube pivotally suspended from said cam operated arm, a slotted arm carried by said blower tube` and a fixed cam pin engaging said slotted arm for moving said blower tube inwardly and outwardly with respect to a pile of sheets.

30. In sheet separating mechanism, a power shaft, a rotary platen driven by said power shaft, a combingr wheel driven by said power shaft and oscillatable about the axis thereof, an oscillatable arm, a cam rod connected to said arm, a cam keyed to said power shaft for operating said cam rod, a blower tube suspended from said oscillatable arm and movable into and out of operative position with respect to a pile of sheets, a sheet gripping sticker movable about the axis of said power shaft, an oscillatable cam plate common to said combing wheel and sheet gripping sucker., and a cam keyed to said power shaft and having operating connections with said cam plate.

3l. In sheet separating mechanism, sheet gripping means movable into and out of position to grip a sheet, means for continuously supporting a portion of a pile of sheets in raised position, and means cooperating with said supporting means for periodically moving the topl sheet of said pile into position to be gripped by said sheet gripping means.

32. In sheet separating mechanism, sheet gripping means movable into and out of position to grip a sheet, means for continuously supporting a portion of a pile of sheets in raised position, and means cooperating with said supporting means for periodically moving the top sheet of said pile into position to be gripped by said sheet gripping means, said supporting means being adapted to add to the raised portion of the pile to replace the sheets that are removed.

In a sheet separating mechanism, sheet gripping' means movable into and out of position to grip a sheet, means for continuously supporting a portion of a pile of sheets in raised position, and means cooperating with said supporting means for periodically moving the top sheet of said pile into position to be gripped by said sheet gripping means, said sheet supporting means comprising a rotary platen provided with pick-up points for adding to the raised portion of the pile from time to time to replace the sheets removed therefrom.

34. In sheet separating mechanism, a holding foot movable into and out of position to hold the top sheet of a pile, a sheet engaging sucker movable angularly about the point on said pile which is engaged by said holding foot, means for continuously supporting a portion of a pile of sheets in raised position, and sheet combing means cooperating with said supporting means for moving successive top sheets into position to be engaged by said sucker in sheet gripping position.

35. In a sheet feeding machine, a sheet holding foot movable into and out of cngagement with the top sheet of a pile, a sheet engaging sucker movable angularly about the point on said pile which is engaged by said sheet holding foot, a rotary pick-up platen, and a combing wheel mov able into and out of position to cooperate with said platen for facilitating the removal of a tolp sheet by said sheet engaging sucker.

36. n a sheet feeding machine, a sheet holding foot movable into and out of engagement with the top sheet of a pile, a sheet engaging sucker movable angularly about the point -on said pile which is engaged by said sheet holding foot, a rotary pick-up platen, and a combing wleel movable into and out of position to cooperate with said platen for facilitating the removal of a top sheet by said sheet engaging sucker, said combing wheel being provided with a side edge gage for the sheets raised by said rotary pick-up platen.

37. In a sheet separator, the combination with means for intermittently raising corner portions of sheets and continuously suppcrting an approximately uniform number of said corner portions elevated above the top surface of the pile, of moans for intermittently straightening the top sheet across the valley or hollow formed by said raised corner portions.

38. In a sheet separator, the combination with means for continuously raising and supporting a portion of a pile. of sheets above .the top Surface of the pile, said means comprising portions moving one after the other into supporting engagement with the raised portion of the pile, and means for intermittently straightening the top sheet across the valley or hollow formed by said raised portion.

39. In a sheet separator, the combination with a rotary device suitably disposed to raise and support a portion of a pile of sheets above the top surface of a pile, said llO the raised portion oli the n1 e, and means tor in .,i'mittently straightening the top slLeeL across the valley or hollow lorined L by said raised portion.

lit). ln a Iheet separator, the combination with a r tary platen comprising spaced segments 'toi-ined with piclnup corners7 said being suitably7 disposed to engage and littv the edges oit sonic oit the top sheets and suiiport the litted portions oi the sheets above the top sartace ot the nilo;4 said means co no` portions moving one after the cthei` into supporting engagement with the 'leal portion ot the pile, and means tor c inittcntliY straiglitening?.` the top sheet across the valley.' or hollow formed bv said raised portion.

el. ln a sheet separator, the combination with means for supporting a portion ot a pile o t sheets raised above the tojo sur- J" ,P Y

racc oi' the pileiy ot z, combing n'ieinber operating upon the raised. portion ot sheets7 and a sheet associated with said combing member adjacent to the lateral edge ot the pile to prevent la ei'al displacement thereof.

In a sheet senarator7 the combination with means suitably disnos d to raise and supi'iort a portion ot a nile ot sheets above the ton snriace oit the pile ot' a sheet combing device operating uiion the iaised nortions ot sheets to straighten the ton sheet across the valley or holiow toi'ined by said raised portions and a sheet supported adjacent to said combing device in position to limit tme displacement of sheets acted upon by said. combing device.

.ln a sheet separator, the combination with means disposed to support portions oit a pile ot sheets raised above the top sur- 'face ot the pile, ot a coml'iingwheel onerating upon the raised iortions ot sheets an arm carrying said combing wlicel,'aiid a sheet gaging member mounted upon said arm and supported therebj,Y in position to limit the movement ot sheets acted upon by said combing wheel.

lf-. in a device ot the chata ter described, the combination ot automrticall)7 operating means for continuonsliT maintaining an approximately uniform portion of the ton of a pile of sheets elevated. a oointn and a Vdevice cooperating with said means and ei;-

eiting str ightening action along one edge oi" the sheet.

4:?. ln device ot the character described, the combination ot means ttor continuously and automatically maintaining the top ot' pile ot sheets elevated at a point. and a rotary device cooperating with said means and exerting a straightening action along one edge of the sheet.

ramoner the top ot a pile of sheets elevated at a point.`

and a rotarjy7 device cooperating with said nico/.ns and exerting a straightening action aloone edge of the sheet.

it ln device of the character described, the combination ot means tor continuously and automatically maintaining the top ot a, pile ot sheets elevated at two points,` and devices cooperating with said means and exerting a straightening action along one edge ot the topinost sheet between said points.

fit). in a device ofthe character described, combina-tion oit `means tor continuouslyY id antoiaatically maintaining the top oilE :i toile et sheets elevated attivo points, and devices cooperating with said means and exerting a straightening action in opposite directions along one edge ot the ton moet sheet between said points.

Btl, .ln a device of the character described, the conioination of rotar;7 means Ytor con- 'inuonslv and .automaticall7 in intaining :lie ton oit a pile of sheets elevated at two mints, and devices cooperating with said means and exerting a straightei'iiiig action along one edge of the topmost sheet between sail points.

5l. ln a. device ofthe character described7 the combination ot rotary means toi' continuonsly and automat-icalli;7 maintaining the ton a pile oit sheets elevated at two said means and exerting a straigl'itening action along one edge of the topinost sheet loelln sheet separating mechanism, the combination of a rotary member for elevatg and supporting one edge ot a pile ot sheets, and a rotary sheet-straightening device cooperating therewith and engaging the saine.

53. In a sheet separating inechanisun the rating and supporting one edge oit a pile et sheetsT and a continuouslv rotating sheetand engaging the topmost sheet ot the pile to straighten the saine.

combination ot a continuously rotating member tor elevating and supporting one t1. and rotary devices cooperating with tween said points.

ini,

the topmost sheet of the pile to straighten combination eta rotating member tor elestraightening device cooperating' therewith 54,-. ln a sheet separating mechanism? the edge ot a pile of sheets, and a rotating sheet straightening device cooperating therewith and engaging the topmost sheet of the pile to straighten the same.

55. In a sheet separating mechanism, the combination of a continuously rotating member for elevating and supporting one edge of a pile of sheets, and a continuously rotating sheet-straightening device cooperating therewith and engaging the topmost sheet of the pile to straighten the same.

56. In a device of the character described, the combination with means for supporting a portion of a pile of sheets raised above the top surface of the pile, of a suction gripper, a sheet straightening device operating upon the raised portion of sheets, and common means elevating said gripper and straightening device with relationito the pile.

57. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet gripper, means for elevating and lowering the same, means for holding one edge of the sheet elevated, a rotary combing wheel, and means rotating lthe same outwardly toward the edge of the pile whereby the topmost sheet is straightened and engaged with said gripper.

58. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet gripper, a rotary means for holding one edge of the topmost sheet of the pile elevated, a rotary combing wheel, and means rotating the same outwardly toward the edge of the pile whereby the topmost sheet is straightened and engaged with saidA gripper. i 59. In a device of the character described, the combination of two rotary devices supporting the topmost sheet of the pile and holding it elevated at two points, two rotary combing wheels, and means for rotating the same toward said devices whereby the topmost sheet is straightened.

60. In a device of the character described, the combination of devices rotating toward the center of the sheet pile supporting the topmost sheet and holdinv it elevated at two points, two rotary combing wheels, and means for rotating the same toward said devices whereby the topmost sheet is straightened.

61. In a device of the character described, a sheet gripper adapted to act on the topmost sheet of a pile, a rotary sheet-straightening device that acts to move said sheet into engagement with said gripper, and common means for elevating and lowering the gripper and sheet-straightening device.

62. In a sheet feeding machine, a pile supporting table, a rotary platen for imparting a bend to a portion of said pile, a sheet engaging sucker, and means cooperating with said rotary platen for straightening the top sheet of said pile across said bend.

63. In a sheet feeding machine, the combination with a pile holding table, of a sucker, a rotary platen for supporting a portion of a pile of sheets above said table, and a sheet combing wheel cooperating with said` rotary platen and operating upon the top sheet of the pile for effecting a preliminary separation of said top sheet in connection with said sucker.

64. In a. sheet feeding machine, the combination with a table for sup orting a pile of sheets, a rotary mutilated p aten for supporting a portion of said pile above said table, the mutilated platen being provided with sheet engaging 4points for lifting portions of additional sheets above said table from time to time, a sucker movable into and out of position to receive a sheet, and acombing wheel periodically cooperating with said portions of the mutilated platen for preliminarily separating successive top sheets of the pile.

CARL E. CHRISTOPHEL. 

